AfriForum Youth requests meeting with ANCYL re march

AfriForum Youth today invited the ANCYL to a meeting to discuss a march organised by the organisation, the trade union NEHAWU and other pressure groups on the Potchefstroom campus of the North-West University (NWU). The march by the ANCYL and other organisations is contrary to the spirit of the Constitution and is an insult to minorities, AfriForum Youth said today.

The reasons for the protest march are allegedly the multilingualism policy of the NWU, the firing of a member of Sasco, Orapeleng Matshediso, from the Mafikeng SRC and labour disputes between the NWU and some of its employees. From conversations AfriForum Youth had with some members of the relevant parties, it appeared that they are of the opinion that white students should no longer be admitted to the NWU. They also believe that no whites should be employed further by the NWU. The ANCYL uses various reasons as a smokescreen for their unwillingness to accept diversity in South Africa," said Marcus Pawson, spokesperson for AfriForum Youth.

The NWU is one of the few universities where diversity and multilingualism are successfully promoted. One example is the use of Tswana in the training of future teachers in order to ensure that they will be able to teach in their first language. The NWU received recognition in 2010 for its contribution to multilingualism from PANSAT and is recognised as a superior training institution of teachers.

"The ANCYL, unions and other organisations taking part in the march, are showing their unwillingness to accept other communities in South Africa and declared an intolerance for diversity," Pawson said.

AfriForum Youth is hoping that a meeting will create a better understanding between the various communities within the NWU. "The reality is that students of the NWU are tolerant and respectful towards one another. Extremist organisations such as these are now trying to undermine good relationships for their own political gain," Pawson said.

Statement issued by Marcus Pawson, Spokesperson: AfriForum Youth, July 19 2013

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